Lately, I’ve been getting many questions about the concept of surrender, a subject that seems counterintuitive to the culture of control that we live in. In a world that glorifies busyness and accomplishment, the idea of surrender seems absurd.
Recognizing Surrender’s Challenge
Surrender can be difficult because it can feel like relinquishing control. We often use busyness to maintain a sense of power and certainty and avoid feeling our emotions. But sometimes, life throws us a curveball, and we become so myopically fixated on a specific outcome that we lose sight of the actual life lesson we’re supposed to be learning.
Indications It’s Time to Surrender
Surrender can be necessary when the unexpected happens. It’s also vital when we’re relentlessly attached to a particular result—when it feels like grasping for something that’s slipping through your fingers—perhaps a desperation to create an outcome other than the one that’s unfolding.
The Guided Imagery Exercise
The process of surrender can start with a guided imagery exercise. This exercise helps you let go of something in your life that you may have outgrown or that no longer serves you. It could be a relationship, job, behavior, object, experience, or any aspect of life.
Steps to the Exercise
- Acknowledging Its Role: Begin by acknowledging how this thing has served you in the past. It’s essential to honor its role.
- The Price of Over-Attachment: Consider what continuing to be attached to it might be costing you, both physically and emotionally.
- Releasing What No Longer Serves You: Through deep breaths and visualization, release what no longer serves you by letting it dissolve, wash away, evaporate or disappear.
- New Beginnings: Imagine creating space for new experiences and opportunities.
The Ongoing Journey
Remember that surrender is an ongoing process and can happen in multiple layers. Be kind to yourself and embrace the journey. Whether through journaling, talking to a friend, or sharing with the community, your experiences with surrender can heal you while sometimes even inspiring others.
The Power of Surrender
Surrender can often lead to inner peace and freedom. By letting go, you create space for new opportunities and experiences to enter your life.
Embrace the process of surrender; it’s a journey of growth. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on your journey of letting go of what no longer serves you— and the element of delight and surprise it brings into your life.
